Naada Inbam organised a veena festival last month in memory of its founder S.V. Krishnan.
The inaugural concert was by vainika Vidya Shankar. She opened her recital with ‘Karikalabhamukham' in Saveri. The short alapana showcased the beauty of the raga and the veteran's mastery over the raga and her instrument.
Next she chose the rarely heard kriti ‘Chintyamakandamulam' in Bhairavi, which was rendered in the traditional patantara.
The alapana was short but sweet. The Begada raga alapana and a ragamalika tanam that followed were a treat for the connoisseur and layman alike. Here, mention must be made of the artist's effortless shift from one raga to the next, while retaining the spirit of the tanam. Vidya Sankar also played ‘Devadideva' in Sindhuramakriya.
K. Arunprakash on the mridangam gave able and subdued support. The hour-long kutcheri was a reminder of the power of the veena, and indeed, a befitting homage to S.V. Krishnan.
Inaugurating the festival, R. Vedavalli expressed her admiration for SVK and congratulated his daughter Jaya on continuing her father's work with the same enthusiasm.
Cleveland Sundaram echoed Vedavalli's views.
